It wasn’t that his partner didn’t pull his weight, but lately Jeff…
Opening the door, Jackson frowned when he saw that the trailer was empty, the phone ringing off the hook. Where was Jeff? Jackson snatched up the phone and looked out the window.
“Witt,” he said curtly. He saw the woman’s car parked beside the third trailer. What was she doing here? And by the empty trailer?
An uneasy thought sprang to mind. No! Jeff wouldn’t—
“Witt, Barton here. We’ve run into a snafu with your latest lumber order,” the voice on the other end said.
Jackson switched gears. He’d deal with the secretary situation after he settled with Miles Barton about the latest problem.
“This’ll do fine.” Mandy looked around the small trailer. It was like a tiny apartment. The living room segued into a dining nook and galley kitchen. The hall-way mimicked the one in the office, leading to a bed and bath.
From one window, she saw the trailer next door. From the back, however, she had a stunning view of the mountains rising majestically around her. And caught a glimmer of the lake.
Best of all, it was free—part of the compensation package. And she still got a healthy salary—how lucky could she be? Jeff’s partner was not driving her away from this job!
“I know it’s far from the city and all. In your condition, you sure you’ll be okay here? The trailers don’t have phones, but I’m right next door. And we agreed we’ll be shutting down operations for the winter long before you’d start your maternity leave,” Jeff said, sounding worried.
Mandy nodded, wanting to pat Jeff’s arm and reassure him she was fine. She wasn’t used to people taking such an interest and showing so much concern in her life. She’d been on her own since she turned eighteen—nine years ago. It was sweet, but not something she’d grow to expect, or trust.
He was her boss. One of her bosses. And she knew enough not to step over that line.
“This will suit me perfectly.”
“I’ll bring in your things.”
She swiftly put away the perishables, while Jeff helped her put away canned goods and packages. He carried her suitcases and two cardboard boxes into her bedroom.
“I’ll unpack later,” Mandy told him. She didn’t want help unpacking. Or in anything else. The less she depended upon others, the less likely she was to be disappointed when they walked away. “I’m anxious to get started on the job.”
“Don’t you want to rest up after your trip?” he asked.
“Not necessary. I did nothing but drive, which meant sitting the entire way. Now I’d like to get to work. That’s what you’re paying me for.” And she didn’t want to provide any reason for his partner to fire her. Despite what Jackson Witt said, she’d come to this job in good faith. He couldn’t fire her merely for being a woman. Only if she messed up. Which she didn’t plan to do.
Jeff handed her a key as they left the trailer. He watched as Mandy carefully locked her door.
“It’s not that we have a lot of crime here,” he said when they began walking toward the office, “but with all the men around, you’ll need to be a bit careful. Some of these guys are mavericks.”
“I’ll keep to myself,” she said. Her door would not be opened to anyone coming to visit. She wanted time alone and expected to get it.
“Up to walking?” he asked.
“Sure.” She smiled, wondering how to set Jeff straight. It couldn’t be more than a hundred yards to the office. “I’m pregnant, not sick. Walking is good exercise. I usually do a couple of miles a day.”
“Not many places to walk around here.”
“Are you kidding? There are hundreds of acres of pristine forest land. Not to mention the shore of the lake. I can’t wait to explore that. And if I want a longer ramble, I can always walk back up the road a piece.”
“Not in your condition.” He looked appalled.
“I’m fine, Jeff.” She would not allow him to think she couldn’t manage on her own. Even if his motives were sincere, she liked her independence. Depending on others always let her down. Besides, she didn’t dare let him think she was too fragile to do the job at hand. She needed him on her side if it came to a showdown with his partner.
When Mandy stepped into the office, the first thing she saw was Jackson Witt rummaging through the stacks of papers on her desk. Her heart skipped a beat. In his casual attire, he looked rugged and all male.
Quite a contrast to Marc’s rather dapper air. He hated the times he had to inspect the early stages of buildings, especially if the weather was inclement.
Mandy had no difficulty picturing this man out in any and all types of weather, relishing the challenges of nature, defying odds to bring the project in on schedule. While only an inch or two taller than Marc, Jackson radiated a power that the other man would only envy.
“Can I help you find something?” she asked calmly. She knew enough about psychology to know that it would be best to keep any hint of worry from showing.
He turned and looked at her. For a moment Mandy felt a frisson of apprehension. He appeared angry. Or was that scowl his perpetual expression?
“Why are you still here? We’ll pay for your travel time and any inconvenience we caused. You might want to take off before it gets dark.”
“There has been no inconvenience. I’ve come to work and I’ll do my job.” She walked behind the desk and sat down defiantly, almost holding her breath as she threw out the challenge. Jeff remained by the door—in order to make a quick escape? Mandy wondered.
“Are you pregnant?” Jackson asked in disbelief, staring at her stomach.
Had he not noticed earlier?
“Almost six months. Don’t worry, it’s not contagious. And it doesn’t interfere with my abilities.”
He swung around to Jeff. “You hired a pregnant woman to come out here? I don’t believe this! Have you lost what little mind you had left?”
“She’s got experience in the building industry. Her skills are great. She’ll be able to do a lot to help out without our having to teach her every step. She’ll be doing office work, not heavy construction. Besides, it wasn’t as if we had a lot of choice. People aren’t exactly champing at the bit to come to some construction site thirty miles from the nearest town—even for a couple of months. I figured any help was better than coming back empty-handed.”
Mandy looked at Jeff in dismay. She’d been sure her experience had impressed him, that he’d truly thought she was the best person for the job. The pride she’d felt in landing the position deflated.
Standing suddenly, she tilted her head pugnaciously. “Give me a week. If you aren’t totally satisfied with all I’ve done, I’ll leave and you won’t even have to pay me for the work,” she said before she could think.
Jackson looked at her, frowning.
Jeff looked at her, frowning.
“No.” Jackson’s flat-out denial was immediate; no compromise from him. His dark eyes sent a shiver coursing down her back. Mandy wanted more than anything to prove to him she could do the job—to have him change his mind and eat crow.
“That’s not fair to you, Mandy,” Jeff protested.
“I think it’s fair. Especially if you are satisfied with my work, I stay and you give me a bonus.” It was a gamble, but she was desperate. Her gaze locked with Jackson’s and endless moments ticked by. He was the one to convince.
“Today is Tuesday. You have until